Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr., sponsored by Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), is bringing his cooking skills and big personality to the Boston Kidney Walk on Sunday, Oct. 28, to show dialysis patients and their families how to create kidney-friendly meals with his down-home big, bold flavors. Hosted by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), the annual walk attracts thousands of participants to raise funds to fight kidney disease, and to call attention to the need for prevention, early detection and organ donation.

More than 26 million Americans – one in nine adults – have chronic kidney disease (CKD), a progressive, usually permanent loss of kidney function, while millions more are at increased risk and may not even know it. When CKD leads to kidney failure, the only treatments are ongoing dialysis or a kidney transplant. And to stay healthy, people on dialysis have to control their levels of potassium, phosphorus, salt and saturated fats by limiting their intake of certain foods.

This year’s Kidney Walk has a new location, starting in Cambridge’s Canal Park. The four-mile loop route runs southwest along the Charles River before crossing the Massachusetts Ave. Bridge and returning to the park. Participant check-in starts at 9:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

Beginning at 10 a.m. at the FMCNA booth in Canal Park, Chef McCargo, star of “Big Daddy’s House” on Food Network, will demonstrate how to prepare appetizing dishes that are tasty, affordable, and dialysis-friendly for tailgating or everyday dining. Free food samples will be offered, and an FMCNA dietitian also will be available to answer questions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Chef McCargo to Boston. His innovative recipes and tips for adding flavor and variety to dialysis patients’ meals allow them to get more enjoyment from eating, while still complying with their diets,” said Kathy Dickey, regional vice president at FMCNA. “Fresenius Medical Care has been a sponsor of the Boston Kidney Walk for five years running, and we are excited that the NKF is putting more focus on the renal diet.”

“The National Kidney Foundation is grateful for the support that Fresenius Medical Care has given to this event, and we are proud to have them as a sponsor again this year,” said Andrea Savisky, regional director of the NKF Serving New England. “The Kidney Walk calls attention to the importance of early detection for those at risk for kidney disease, and the money we raise goes directly to support important programs and services, including free early detection screenings, research support, education, and patient services.”

Dialysis patients can find fitness tips, recipes, videos and other information about staying active and maintaining a healthy diet at FMCNA’s Healthy Lifestyles website. Fresenius Medical Care has over 20 dialysis facilities in Greater Boston. For more information about dialysis services available in New England, call toll free at 1-888-325-5175. To register for the Boston Kidney Walk, call the NKF at 1-800-542-4001 or visit www.kidneywalk.org.

About Fresenius Medical Care

Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS) is the world’s leading company devoted to patient-centered renal therapy. Through more than 3,119 clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, we provide kidney dialysis treatments to approximately 253,000 patients worldwide. We are also the world’s leading maker of dialysis products, such as dialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Chronic kidney failure is a condition that affects more than 2.1 million individuals worldwide. For more information about the company’s more than 2,100 U.S. dialysis facilities, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com (in English and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, visit www.fmc-ag.com or www.fmcna.com.

About Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr.

Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr. competed on and won season four of “The Next Food Network Star” in 2008, beating out thousands of culinary hopefuls for the ultimate dream job – his own Food Network show. “Big Daddy’s House” premiered in 2008 and continues to be a success. On “Big Daddy’s House,” Aaron shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking, bringing a down-to-earth vibe and warm smile to the kitchen. He recently published his first cookbook, “Simply Done, Well Done.” Whether cooking with his children, relatives, friends, or even by himself, big food and big fun reign supreme.